News

Car Chase Leads To Arrest Of An Alleged Local Drug Kingpin

After a four-car chase through Glouster on Monday night, Derek James Gyure, 26, of Glouster was arrested and charged with five major felonies.

Gyure was seen tossing a green ammunition box into the brush during the chase. The box was recovered and it contained some 1,400 tablets, believed to be Oxycodone, with a street value of $42,000. The box also contained $17,000 in cash.

When he was arrested, Gyure also was armed with a .40 caliber Glock handgun.

Currently, Gyure is charged with two first-degree felonies of Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity and Possession of Drugs. He is charged with a second-degree felony of Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs and two third-degree felonies of Tampering with Evidence and Possession of Weapons Under a Disability.

It is believed that Gyure is the supplier for multiple Glouster-area drug dealers, according to Athens County Prosecutor Keller Blackburn.

It is believed that he was the supplier of Casey Metcalf who was recently charged with three second-degree felonies for Aggravated Trafficking in Drugs and two third-degree felonies for Trafficking in Drugs.

Gyure's bond was set at $750,000 during his initial appearance Tuesday morning in the Athens County Municipal Court. The Athens County Prosecutor also is seeking forfeiture to the State of Ohio of Gyure’s vehicle, multiple weapons and his home.

This was “a significant accomplishment in our community justice mission to take out the dealers and treat the addicted,” according to Blackburn.

“Drug dealers should be put on notice – stop dealing in drugs, get the treatment you need, or suffer the consequences,” Athens County Sheriff Rodney Smith warned.

“Without the cooperative efforts of law enforcement working together, this would not have been possible,” Smith noted.